Rose plant

ABSTRACT

A novel rose variety of the miniature rose class characterized by high centered pink blooms, borne primarily one to a stem and with reflexing petals folding individually along the entire margin as they mature.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the miniature rose class, which was originated by my crossingas seed parent a self seedling of the new rose known as "Gold Coin" andan unnamed seedling as pollen parent.

Among the novel characteristics possessed by this new variety whichdistinguish it from its parents and all other varieties of which I amaware are: (1) recurrent blooms of coral pink coloring, (2) highcentered flowers borne primarily singly to a stem in a manner typical ofhybrid tea plants opening flat but symmetrical, (3) petals reflexingindividually along the entire margin as they mature and (4) afree-branching vigorous plant. Asexual reproduction by budding of thenew variety as performed in Essex County, Mass., shows that theforegoing and other distinguishing characteristics come true to form andare established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

The new and improved rose variety which I have developed is a miniaturerose of coral pink coloring, with singly-borne blooms of high centered,hybrid-tea form delightfully displayed on a vigorous, free branchingplant. The flowers usually have 28 to 35 petals but the petalage isincreased with heavy fertilization. Despite this relatively heavypetalage, the blooms open well and hold their coloring under varied andadverse weather conditions. The plant itself is attractive in combiningmedium, abundant foliage with well branching growth.

The accompanying drawing shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of the new variety in different stages of developmentand as depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible tomake the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new variety, with colorterminology in accordance with the Royal Horticultural Society ColorChart (RHSCC). The terminology used in color description herein refersto plate numbers in the aforementioned color chart, e.g., "45B" is plate45B of the Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart.

Parentage: Seedling.

Seed parent.--A self seedling of "Gold Coin".

Pollen parent.--"Unnamed seedling".

Class: Miniature.

The following observations are made of specimens grown outdoors with 30%shade in Essex County, Mass., during the month of October.

1. FLOWER

Blooming habit: Recurrent.

A. bud:

(1) Size.--Medium.

(2) Form.--Short, pointed.

(3) Color.--When sepals first divide -- 47A. When petals begin to unfurl-- 39A. When half-blown: 39B. Reverse side of petals -- 52C.

(4) sepals.--Smooth, occasionally lightly foliated long, thin, tapered,extending slightly behind tip of bud (before opening).

(5) Peduncle.--Length -- normal. Aspect -- straight. Strength -- erect.Color -- 144A, with 53B overlay; 53B predominates in full sun.

B. bloom:

(1) Size.--Average size when fully expanded-about 13/8 to 11/2 inch.

(2) Borne.--Primarily singly.

(3) Form.--High centered blooms, becoming flat upon opening, petalsreflexed individually over entire margin as they mature.

(4) Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions -- about 28 to35, but can have up to 55 with heavy fertilization.

(5) Color (during first 2 days).--Inner petals at center of flower --48C, 7D at base. Outer petals -- 48A. Base of petals (point ofattachment) -- 7D. Reverse of petals -- 52C. General tonality from adistance -- coral pink.

(6) Color change.--As bloom ages -- color softens to 52C and the generaltonality becomes pinker with less orange tone.

C. petals:

(1) Texture.--Thick.

(2) Appearance.--Inside -- velvety: Outside -- Satiny, smooth.

(3) Form.--Fan shaped.

(4) Arrangement.--Regularly arranged, shingle-like.

(5) Petaloids in center.--Medium to few.

(6) Persistence.--Drop off cleanly.

(7) Fragrance.--Slight.

(8) Lasting quality.--Long lasting on plant.

2. REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

A. stamens, filaments and anthers:

(1) Arrangement.--Regularly arranged around styles.

(2) Color.--14D.

B. pollen: None observed.

C. styles: Medium length, few.

D. stigmas: Color -- 8D.

E. hips: None observed.

3. PLANT

A. form: Upright, compact.

B. growth: Vigorous, free branching. Height attained -- 12 to 18 inches.

C. foliage: Compound 5 to 7 leaflets.

(1) Size.--Medium.

(2) Quantity.--Abundant.

(3) Color.--New foliage: Upper side -- 145A edged 185A. Under side --185C. Old foliage: Upper side -- 131A. Under side -- 148C.

(4) shape.--Oval, pointed.

(5) Texture.--Upper side -- glossy. Under side -- matte.

(6) Edge.--Serrated, more pronounced toward the tip.

(7) Serration.--Regular, relatively deep.

(8) Leaf stem.--Color -- near to 137C. Under side -- 137D.

(9) stipules.--Medium, smooth.

(10) Resistance to disease.--Blackspot -- normal. Mildew -- normal.

D. wood:

(1) New wood.--Color -- near 146A. Bark -- smooth.

(2) Old wood.--Color -- 137B. Bark -- smooth, but can roughen with age.

E. thorns:

(1) Thorns.--Quantity: few. On laterals -- few. Form -- straight, thinneedle-like. Length -- medium. Color -- 168D changing to 177A on aging.Position -- irregular, usually midway between nodes.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniatureclass, substantially as shown and described, characterized particularlyby coral pink high centered, recurrent flowers of persistent coloringborne primarily singly to a stem, with reflexing petals foldingindividually along the entire margin as they mature and are long lastingon the plant.